Posted on March 11, 2021
Marcon International Inc., Coupeville, Wash. reports the sale by Star Matrix Hong Kong Ltd. to Japanese buyers of the ocean salvage and rescue tug Hulk (ex-Resolve Monarch, ex-Anglian Monarch).
The 11,400 bhp ocean work horse was built in 1999 as the ETV Anglian Monarch at Matsuura Tekko Zosen; Japan as Hull No. S-510 for J.P. Knight Lowestoft Ltd. of the United Kingdom. She was one of the first units of the U.K.’s Emergency Towing Vessel Fleet (ETV) that was based in the Shetland Islands under a program that was subsequently terminated as a cost-cutting measure.
In 2011, the tug was mothballed, along with three others, to save money. It was then moved to work on an ETV contract with the French government patrolling that country’s coast and she completed her work there in 2013.
Later that same year it was sold to Resolve Towing & Salvage for operations in its fleet world-wide. The tug successfully worked for Resolve until acquired by Star Matrix in late 2019 and carried out numerous tows of rigs, as well as engaging in various salvage operations on a world-wide basis right up until her delivery to the new owners in Japan in late February 2021.
The purpose built salvage/rescue tug has dimensions of 190- by 46.3- by 23.3-foot depth, with a 19.4-foot loaded draft.
Its twin Niigata 6MG41HX diesels deliver 11,400 BHP @ 500 RPM and 152 tons of bollard pull and a 293,000 gallons fuel capacity gives the vessel a range of about 8,000 nautical miles. Maximum free running speed is 17 knots and economical speed is roughly 11 knots.
The tug has twin CP propellers in fixed kort nozzles and is very maneuverable with Kamewa transverse tunnel thrusters (900 HP on the stern and 1,200 HP on the bow).
The vessel also has independently controlled “fish tail” rudders and a Kamewa Poscon fully integrated joystick control. It is fitted with two remotely operated FiFi monitors and has a self-drenching system for close-in firefighting in emergency situations.
A Manabe Zoki Co., Ltd. double drum waterfall towing winch carries 1,500 meters by 71 mm towing wire on each drum and has 300-ton brake capacity. The tug is also fitted with the necessary related items for towing, such as a 250-ton SWL stern roller, two 10-ton tuggers, and 500-ton SWL Karm forks for handling up to 102 mm chain.
The vessel has accommodations for crew in 10 cabins and has additional room for six passengers, as necessary, in three double cabins.
